Global pop powerhouse Dua Lipa unveils 'Illusion', taken from her highly anticipated third album Radical Optimism, out on May 3.
“‘Illusion’ was the first song Caroline, Danny, Tobias, Kevin and I worked on together, and it really broke the ice for the record,” Dua shares. “It’s about knowing what you’re getting yourself into, but staying for the hell of it. The joke’s on them, it’s the fun of playing someone at their own game because ultimately you won’t fall for an illusion.”
Directed by Tanu Muino, the music video for “Illusion” features Dua alongside dancers, high divers, and synchronized swimmers at the Piscina Municipal de Montjuïc in Barcelona, Spain. The video culminates with Dua climbing a castell-inspired tower, a reference to the infamous Catalonian tradition. The iconic pool served as the location for the “Slow” music video from one of Dua’s favorite pop idols Kylie Minogue.
Listen to ‘Illusion’ by Dua Lipa on the F1 Tracks Playlist on Spotify.
‘Illusion’ was co-written by Lipa, alongside album collaborators Caroline Ailin, Danny L. Harle, Tobias Jesso Jr. and Kevin Parker, and was co-produced by Harle and Parker. The thumping, rave up track follows ‘Training Season’ and ‘Houdini’ taken from Dua’s upcoming album Radical Optimism.
Inspired by Dua’s own self-discovery, Radical Optimism is an album that taps into the pure joy and happiness of having clarity in situations that once seemed impossible to face. The hard goodbyes and vulnerable beginnings that previously threatened to crush your soul, become milestones as you choose optimism and start to move with grace through the chaos. Radical Optimism transports its listener to a dreamy pop world rich in musicality, lyrically unapologetic and sonically liberating.
Dua’s certified platinum sophomore album Future Nostalgia solidified her position as both a critical success and top radio performer. The GRAMMY-nominated record was the longest running top 10 album by a female artist on the Billboard 200 in 2021, and spawned multiple worldwide hit singles, with “Levitating” earning certified diamond status and the title of Billboard’s No. 1 Hot 100 Song of 2021.
Dua recently announced the first run of tour dates in support of Radical Optimism with shows in Berlin, Pula and Nimes taking place in June, which sold out immediately. In addition, Dua will play a show at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall on October 17.
